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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Snowflake Bentley: The book and more!

By using the picture book, Snowflake Bentley, students are introduced to the Caldecott Award and exposed to an interesting biography.

A lesson plan for grade 3 English Language Arts and Information Skills

By Cherl Hollada, Libby Morrison, and Susan Pope

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Learning outcomes

Students will:

  • become aware of the Caldecott Award for picture books.
  • actively listen to a biography being read to them and be able to give characteristics of a biography.
  • learn more about Wilson Bentley’s photographs by visiting a website dedicated to his work.

Teacher planning

Time required for lesson

60 Minutes

Materials/resources

  • Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Mary Azarian
  • Crossword Puzzle from website listed below and/or questions to check for comprehension and listening skills.
  • Art Supplies — For our project, we used chalk and dark colored construction paper.

Technology resources

Computer with internet access either with a projector or one computer per student or small group of students.

Activities

  1. Read Snowflake Bentley to the class.
  2. Ask students questions to check for listening and understanding:
    • What was Snowflake Bentley’s given name?
    • What was special about Snowflake’s camera?
    • What was the name of his book?
    • What did Snowflake’s neighbors think about his work with snow?
  3. Have students state the characteristics of a biography that have been previously discussed and note how this book qualifies as a biography.
  4. Visit the 1999 Caldecott Award website. Discuss why Snowflake Bentley won the award.
  5. Visit Wilson A. Bentley’s website. Ask students to see if they can find any information about him that was not in the book.
  6. Visit website of Wilson A. Bentley’s images.
  7. Complete Art Project. We drew snowflakes on dark colored paper with chalk. (If you lightly spray the finished chalk drawing with hairspray, it will keep the chalk from smearing as badly.)

Assessment

  • Students’ ability to recall information learned when asked questions by the teacher. (Informal assessment)
  • Optional - Students’ ability to complete the crossword puzzle.
  • Completion of an art project

Supplemental information

Snowflake Designs by Marty Noble, Eric Gottesman, and W.A. Bentley is also an excellent book with vivid photographs by Bentley that serves as a great resource for showing students how snowflakes are so different.

Comments

This lesson can be completed in a computer lab setting instead of with a projector. (This is actually the way I did it.) It takes longer, but the students are still very successful.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
      • fiction (short stories, novels, fantasies, fairy tales, fables).
      • nonfiction (biographies, letters, articles, procedures and instructions, charts, maps).
      • poetry (proverbs, riddles, limericks, simple poems).
      • drama (skits, plays).
  • Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
    • Objective 3.06: Conduct research for assigned and self-selected projects (with assistance) from a variety of sources (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people, libraries, databases, computer networks).

Information Skills (2000)

Grade 3

  • Goal 1: The learner will EXPLORE sources and formats for reading, listening, and viewing purposes.
    • Objective 1.01: Participate in read-aloud, storytelling, booktalking, silent and voluntary reading experiences.
    • Objective 1.06: Identify characteristics of various genres.
  • Goal 5: The learner will COMMUNICATE reading, listening, and viewing experiences.
    • Objective 5.01: Respond to reading, listening, viewing experiences orally, artistically, dramatically, through various formats (e.g., print, multimedia).